Match-box.



R. MULLER.

MATCH BOX.

APPLICATION IILED MAR. 3, 1911.

Patented Jan. 9, 1912.

UNITED sTATEsI PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD MULLER, OF HIGHLAND FALLS, NEW YORK.

MATCH-Box.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an; 9, 1912.

Application filed March 3, 1911. Serial No. 612,134.

match boxes, and has for its leading object the provision of an improved safety match box which will deliver but one match at a time and will protect the other matches contained in the box.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a match box of this character which will normally look the box to prevent accidental opening or losing of matches therefrom. 4

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple and inexpensive match box for pocket use which will deliver a single match when desired and which will normally be tightly closed to prevent dirt or moisture from entering the box.

Other objects and advantages of my improved match box will be readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, and it will be seen that I have provided a thoroughly etficient and practical match box, and it will be further understood that I may make any modifications in the construction lying within the scope of my claims without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved match box. Fig. 2. represents a similar view with the plunger in withdrawn or open position. Fig. 3 represents an end view of the box. Fig. 4 represents a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 represents a cross sectional view, and Fig. 6 represents a side elevation of a modified form of my invention.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the cylindrical slightly flattened casing of my box, said casing being provided with the cap or end 2 and the removable end member 3 to permit of filling of the box. Formed in the lower side of the casing is the longitudinally extending recess or countersunk portion 4, while formed in the bottom of the portion 4 are a plurality of openings 5 through which pass the bars 6 having the yoke like or bifurcated upper ends 7 providing the recesses 8 adapted to receive a single match when said ends 7 are contained in the body of the box. I

Formed at the upper edge of the casing 1 are the outwardly extending spaced flanges I 10 providing the delivery slot 11 therebetween, the heads 7 of the members 6 resting between said flanges when the box is in closed or in delivering position. To normally close the slot 11 to prevent moisture from entering the box therethrough, I employ the L-shaped cover member 12 which is pivotally secured to one side of the casing l by the pivot pin 13 while projecting into the box at one end is the arm 14 which is secured to the cover 11 to rock the same on its pivot when" the arm is suitably engaged.

Secured to the lower end of the members 6 and contained partially within the recess 4 when the device is in closed position is the operating plate 15 having the recess 16 formed in one end to receive the locking member. Said locking member comprises a rod 17 intermediately pivoted on the pin 18 extending transversely of the match box, said rod having the inwardly projecting bent end 19 to be engaged in the recess 16 to lock the plate 15 in closed position and having an inclined portion 20 at the other end terminating in the outwardly projecting portion 21 which extends through the end 2 of the box and has the push button 22 formed thereon.

When I desire to remove a match from my box, I press the button 22 to release the locking end 1.9 of the rod and then draw the plate 15 downward to move the head 7 of the member 6 into the body of the box. When the said heads are contained in the body of the box below the level of the matches therein, the matches will naturally roll toward each other, when one of the matches will be engaged in the recesses 8, the upward movement of the plate 15 raising said match into positionwhere it will 1 be partially above the flanges 10. At the same time that the inward movement of the button 22 unlocks the plate 15 to permit of the temporary withdrawal thereof, the inclined port-ion 20 of the rod 17 contacts with the arm 14 and serves to swing or cam the latter upward, thus swinging the cover member to one side as best shown in Fig. 5. The cover member 12 is thus moved out of the road and away from the slot 11 to permit of the removal of the match, the pressure on the button 22 being continued until the match has been removed, when upon releasing of the button, the spring 28 coiled on the hinge pin 13 will swing the cover into position to close the slot and the arm 14 will bear against the incline to shift the member 17 to lock the plate 15 in closed position.

In Fig. 6' I have illustrated another form of my invention in which the ends 2 and 3 have the off set 24 formed therein to serve as a guide for the bar 25 secured to the upper ends of the members 6, said bar 25 having the groove or recess 26 formed therein to engage the match in the same manner as the recesses 8, while in the closed position said bar serves to fill the space or slot 11 in the casing.

It will be evident that my matchbox is of simple and inexpensive construction and that it is thoroughly eflicient and practical in every respect and can be made in pocket size or in larger size for use in cigar stands or other public places, the plate 15 being then secured to the counter in any suitable manner. My device is very desirable for this latter use in that it will deliver but a single match and will thus prevent the taking of a number of matches by a person when he is lighting his cigar.

I claim:

1. A match boX, comprising a casing having a slot formed in one side and a plurality of apertures formed in the diametrically opposite portion of the casing, rods slidably mounted in the openings, a plate connecting the lower ends of said rods, recessed members on the upper end of the rods, means for normally closing the slot, a locking device engaging the plate, and connections between the locking device and the cover for the slot to uncover the slot as the plate is unlocked.

2. In a delivery match box, the combination with a casing having a discharge slot formed in one side thereof, of a closure for the discharge slot, a spring for holding the cover in closed position, an ejector carried by the casing, means for locking the ejector within the casing, and connections between the closure for the slot and said locking means for removing the closure from the slot against the tension of the spring upon the unlocking of the ejector.

3. In a match box, the combination with a casing having a discharge slot formed within, of an ejector adapted to project through the slot, a spring pressed cap for covering the slot, a lever pivoted within the casing and having one end adapted to engage the ejector to lock the same in inoperative position, said lever having an outwardly projecting button on its other end and having an inclined intermediate portion, and an arm carried by the cap and engaged by the inclined portion of the lever, whereby'pressure on the button will disengage the end of the lever from the ejector and will cause the inclined portion to cam the arm of the cap to remove the cap from above the discharge slot. a

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD MULLER.

Witnesses:

E. P. ROBERTS, B10110. BURKETT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. i I 

